Static Line Skydiving: Is It Really Safe?
Depending on who you ask, static line skydiving may be described as a safe way to learn the ropes and get more comfortable with the entire process—but is static line jumping really the best choice for your first adventure? Static line jumping was developed for military purposes and despite its purported safety, it’s generally only seen in the military today.
Although this jumping technique reduces the risk that a parachute will be deployed too slowly, and also allows for jumps that start at lower altitudes, there’s a chance that the static line could contribute to an avoidable injury. We don’t think it’s the best method out there—and that’s why we don’t do static line jumping at DZONE®.
What Is Static Line Jumping?
Let’s go over the basics: unlike other popular skydiving methods, static line jumping requires that you connect your pack to the plane using a cord or line that will deploy your parachute automatically, very soon after you leave the aircraft.
Static line skydiving was designed to train military paratroopers who often had to start their jumps from low altitudes, and for years, it was used as a training method for civilian skydivers as well since there were no other options. Later IAD (Instructor Assisted Deployment) evolved as did AFF (Accelerated Free Fall), Tandem, and Tandem-AFF Progression Methods of Instruction.
Why We Don’t Use Static Line Parachutes
A static line deploys your parachute automatically, reducing the risk of a late manual deployment—and a resulting injury. However, it’s completely possible for a jumper to become tangled or tripped up by the cord itself, completely eliminating the benefits that the technique claims to offer.
Here at DZONE®, we think there’s a better way to reduce the risk of a late manual deployment. For all beginning jumps for our students, what we facilitate is a tandem jump. This is where the new jumper is paired with an expert instructor. Said instructor will assist you in deploying your parachute, help to guide you back to earth, and work to ensure a safe landing.
Tandem skydiving isn’t just safer than static line skydiving. It’s also more fun! After all, a static line deploys your parachute almost immediately after you leave the aircraft—cutting your freefall time to an absolute minimum. With DZONE®, you can expect between 30 and 60 seconds of freefall and roughly five to nine minutes of canopy time.
Have you considered becoming a skydiving instructor yourself? It’s important to note that static line jumps do not count toward the total number of jumps required for each certification.
Try Tandem Skydiving with DZONE®
If you’re ready to experience an unforgettable jump, then visit your local DZONE® skydiving location in Boise or Bozeman! Contact us to learn more about our services, or explore more of our articles to get an even better sense of what to expect.
Book Your Skydiving Experience at DZONE®
Reading about how to skydive is one thing—experiencing the jump is another! If you’re ready to get first-hand experience with skydiving equipment and best practices, don’t wait to book your appointment! While you’re here, you can get an even better sense of how skydiving works by watching videos of experienced jumpers who were once just like you!